For those that believe in getting med-surg experience first...

[mitchsmom]

I know this may sound beside the point of "med surg first", but would ICU before L&D serve sort of the same purpose?

I don't even know if our ICU hires new grads (the L&D does) but I've heard bad things about the medsurg unit & good about the ICU at one of our two hospitals. I could probably do my last class/preceptorship/practice elective thingee in ICU if I wanted to in the Spring.

I'm just sitting here thinking about options, depending on what's happening & available come April.

[suzanne4, RN]

ICU is always good training to have for any area that you select to work in later on. Unfortunately, you are always going to have a patient that crashes and it is very nice to know what to do. You can never go weong with any training that you can get. It only can help you later one with whatever you choose to do.

[USA987, MSN, RN, NP]

I went to the ICU as a new grad...spent 8 months there and then went to L&D. My experience in the ICU was invaluable and I don't regret it for a moment.

[babyktchr, BSN, RN]

I went to ICU as a new grad, but I was also an ICU tech for 2 years prior, so the transition was a bit more smooth. I feel that ICU experience is invaluable and made a difference when I finally found my niche in L&D. But I worked in ICU for 5 years before I made the switch.

If your L&D hires new grads, and has a decent orientation program, why not just do that? It really comes down to your clinical experience as a grad, your ability to multitask and your ability to learn. Even if you had prior experience in another area, L&D is a whole new ballgame. Even with my ICU background, OB kicked my butt during my orientation. It takes years to get to feel like you really KNOW what you are doing and acheive critical thinking skills that are necessary.

If OB is what you want, I would do that.

[SmilingBluEyes]

I agree w/babyktchr. IF OB is your first and true love, go straight for it. I did it. No regrets. The learning curve is extremely steep in any speciality.

[TexasPediRN]

I have to agree as well- if you love OB, I would go for it. The same goes for ICU.

The only thing I think about starting off in Med-Surg is that you learn to be organized/work with 4-6 patients (or whatever the ratio is in your hospital), and you learn time management.

I worked on a peds/med surg floor first, but the NICU at our hospital wanted me to come work there (i did a clinical there) and I declined, just to get the med/surg experience first and I dont regret it, although I would someday like to work in the NICU.

I think you should follow your heart though, and do what your heart desires. Need to pick the one that will make you happy. And, if you cant decide- a nurse recruiter might be able to set up an observation day on each floor and you can see what they are like before you choose!

Good Luck!